In January Akosua Bandele, celebrated jewelry designer, will celebrate her 65th birthday, (January 28th), in Africa.....a dream come true.    Accompanying veteran Africa travelers and cultural entrepreneurs (Brenda Winstead, Juanita Britton, and Saundra Lang) she will visit Mauritania, Guinea, Senegal and Mali.  Akosua will depart January 21 and return February 12

We are attempting to raise funds to offset the cost of the trip, as a birthday gift to her, and to extend her ability to source products, connect with producers, design and develop products for sale in the US.   After her trip to Tanzania in 2008 to work with the Masaai women, (https://youtu.be/U118Iw_4d6A)
helping to re-style their bead work for contemporary audiences it was clear that her design skills could assist other traditional craft producers, given the opportunity.

This is her leap of faith into fulfilling a dream of international design collaboration, linking Afrikan peoples through art and creativity.

We are asking you to help empower this vital economic connection between Afrikans in America, and our sisters and brothers on the continent.   This is UJAMAA at work.   The journey will be documented, and the fruits of the collaborations will be shared with you.

Our goal is ambitious, but every contribution will be gratefully welcomed, and warmly acknowledged.